Paint Bucket Tool on a layered object

I am creating a new layer with a design on it. When I try to fill the object on the layer I am getting the following message:

"Could not use the paint bucket because the content of the layer is not directly editable".

Can anyone help?

Thanks,

Brook

Is your design vector art or a custom shape?

also check the locking bottons at the top of the layers pallet are not depressed.